Air gravity seeding device for drills and other sowing implements



T. J. MCBRIYDE.

AIR GRAVITY SEEDING DEVICE FOR DRILLS AND OTHER SOWING IMPLEMENTS.

APPLICATION man Aus. 14, 1919.

1,407,795, Patented Feb. 2:8, 1922.

Uniffrsn STATES PAT ENT OFFICE.

THOMAS JAMES MCBRIIDE, OF CHRISTCHURCH, NEW' ZEALAND.

AIR GRVITY SEEDENG DEVGE FOR DRELLS A.'ND OTHER SOWING IMPLEMETS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

Application iled August 14, `1919. Serial No. 317,532.

To all whom t muy @office/rn.'

Be it known thatl, Trroinis JAiins lilc- `Benin7 a British subject7 .residing at i5 St.

Albans Street, Ch istchurch, in the Dominion of `New Zealand, have invented new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Air Gravit r Seeding Devices for K Drills and other owing Implements, of which the i'ollowing is a speciiication.

This invention relates to an airand gravity or gravity feeding device, for supplying grain and seed of various kinds and the like from the hopper of a drillor other sowing implement to the coulters or other sowing means in the required quantity, the obje-ct ot the present invention being` to provide a simple construction for the purpose capable of being satisfactorily operated with but a small expenditure of air or by gravity alone.

ln carrying this object into ei'iect the y present invention consists briefly oi the provision of alseries oi' outlets communicating between the lower portion of the seed-box or hopper oi' the drill and the coulters or other sowing means, an air supply pipe ein tending parallel vwith such-hopper and haw ing a corresponding series of nozzles adapted to deliver blasts of air across the bottom of the hopper to the said outlets, and a conveyor7 or series ot conveyors, arranged in the bottom ot the hopper and adapted to ycarry the seed Lof other material to be sownbetween said nozzles and their corresponding outlets.` i Y The invention includes niean'sfior varying the space between the nozzles andthe outlets for the purpose et regulating the amount o E seed or material to be sown and it includes also vhoods or covers arrangedfover the nozzles and outlets, `such hoods being adjustable in avertical direction for the purpose of regulating: the 'admissionoi seed of 'various sizes and in various quantities to a position convenient Vfor discharge through the outlets andfin front of the vJ ets.

In ordei` that the nature of the invention and its construction may be clearlycunderstood, reference will nowbe inadeto the `ccompanying drawings in which Figure l. is a rear'view of the central portion of a drill illustrating an application of the present invention thereto. Figure 2. is a cross-section along the line "A-B in Figure l.

Figure 3. is a sectional view of one ot the feeding devices.

'way of example, a method of inountingthe air supply pipeand providing for the required movement thereof.

Figure 6. isa perspective view of one of the nozzles as in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 7 is a vertical section on a line through bar l2 or' Figure 3.

Referring first to Figures l and l is theseed' box or hopper of drill or the like, and 2 is the main shaft which is rotated by the carryingwheels of such implement as customary. Y

According to the present invention a pipe 8 is provided and mounted so as to "extend parallel with the hopper l.

The said pipe 3, which i -ay be positioned either inside or outside the hopper, is supplied with a volume oiair trom any suitable source such for instanceas a blower 4l operated by means of appropriate gearing 5 from the main shaft 2. n Y

The means foi-.delivering the aiil troni the blower Ll'to the pipe 3 consists of a flexible tube' 6 connecting the outlet 'l' or" the blower with a nl', 8, upon the said pipe 3.

Formed through the front or rear sides ot the hopper l, at' or near the bottom of the latter, are a series of outlets 9 giving HCCGSS .from such hopper to the` grain-tubesk l0 which communicate ,with the coulteis or other sowing means.

The said air-supply with a plurality of nozz ot the outlets 9), such nozzlesbeing adapted to deliver blasts ot air across the bottom ot the hopper into their corresponding` outlets 9,

. Vin the construction shown in Figures l,

pipe 3 is provided les l1 (one for ear-li 2 and 3, the nozzlesli are introduced into the hopper at the saineside `as that in which io oV the outlets 9 are situated 'and consequently the extremities oit such nozzles are curved round togive them the required direction.

iio i bearing 13, of channel or ij-section, and which is recessed intovthe bottom of 'the hopper to the necessary depth `to bring 'the upper surface of the bar 12 practically flush with the bottom of the hopper as 'here shown.

The said bar 12, or conveyor as it will hereinafter be termed, is slightly serrated, at least adjacent theshields 14 (see'Fig. 7) and is caused to operate with a reciprocal motion. Being situated in the bottom of the hopper the conveyor 'will receive by gravity the grain or other material contained in such hopper while, by its said reciprocal motion such conveyor will serve to carry the said material between the nozzles 11 andthe outlets 9 in which position such material ywill bev in'ij'iinged by the blasts and discliarged through the outlets 9.

Arranged above each of the nozzles 11 (Figures 2 and 3) is a hood or cover 14; adapted to regulate the quantity of seed carried by the `conveyor 12 to the said position between such nozzle and the out-let.

For this purpose each ot the said hoods is mounted by means of a .plate 15 secured to the side of the hopper 1 by a bolt or the like 1G passing through a slot 17 in such plate which permits of the hood beingr adjusted in a vertical direction so as to place its lower edge at any desired space yabove the con-y veyor 12. In practice this space will beadj usted according to the size and quantity of the seeds or material to bevsowii, so as to permit of the latter entering the said position in the form ofa single layer, owing to the slope of the wall of the hopper the adjustment of the shields or hoods is both vertical and horizontal.

To enable the setting of the hood to be easily arrived at, suitable graduations may be provided upon the plate 15 or the side ot the hopper so as to indicate the correct,

position ot the hoodL when sowing seeds of `various kinds and sizes.

mined by the space between tlienozzles 11 and such outlets since by increasing or de# creasing suoli space the blasts will be caused -to impinge a greater orlesser quantity or' seed.

Y For the purpose of providing thisregulation therefor, the air-supply pipeV 3 is adapted to a horizontal sliding movement in a forward or rearward direction-in relation to the hopper. f f

The mounting of the pipe 3 toprovide for this niovenient may be effected in any suitable or convenient manner. Thus for example, as shown in FigureV 5 the vsaid pipe 3 is provided with one or more rods 19 positioned at suitable points upon its length. Each of lthe rods 19`is arraiiged'to pass-dia` metrically through the pipe, a shoulder 2() or the like being provided upon such rod to bear against oneside of the pipe while a lock-nut 21 is 'screwed upon'the extremity of such rod to clamp the rod. firmly in place. The projecting portion of the sa-idrod is slidably receivedwithin `a suitable bearing or guide 22 mounted in or upon the hopper 1 and, if thought necessary or desirable, a suitable spring -23 may be provided and adapted to eXertatendency to carry Athe pipe in one direction or the other. j j

Any suitable 'means (not shown) will be provided to operate the rods '-19 andto Yindicate their adjustment.

Each of the nozzles 11 is provided with a pair of plates lor wings 2st- (Figures 2, 3 and l6)l arranged preferably immediately'behind the o'ri'ceo'l such nozzle and adapted to divide rthe lowof seed to lbe directed towards the outlet 9 when the nozzle Vis in the operativepositioii and to seat against and so close such outlet when such nozzle is in the inoperative position as above explained. Means will also be provided to more the nozzles to close the outlets when. the planting Vdevices are -raised from the ground.

ywith the conveyor, whileits lower extremity `is provided with a Vknob or anti-friction roller 28 received within aserpentiiie groove 29 formed around the peripheryof ya' disc 30 which is preferably mounted upon the main shaft 2 of the implement. As the shaft 2 revolves therefore, vthe said formation of thc groove 29 will cause theflever 25 to rock upon its ulcrum and so produce the desired motion of theV conveyor.'

`lortliis ipurpose the lconveyor 12 is projvided at the required pointwith an inverted U-shaped member 31 whichprojectsdownwards lthrough 'a'v suitable sl'ot formed through the seating 13 and the V*bottom of the hopper. Arranged lbetweenthe 'cheeks llO of the said memberl is avrod 32 provided near-its upper" end with across-pin 33 which is receivedjwithinslots-84 formed vertically therod 32 is telescopically received within a suitable socket formed in the upper portion othelever 23.

This construction provides the required articulation and freedom of movement in the connect-ion of the lever to the conveyor and Yin lsuch cheeks, while the lower portion of yshown in Figure 7 the air supply pipe 3 is arranged within the hopper l and is adapted to a rockingmovement for the purpose of Lvarying the space between its nozzles 1l and the outlets 9,

In this form of the invention the conveying means, whereby the seed or material is brought into the-required position between the nozzle and the outlet, consists of alseries of discs 37 (one for each of the nozzles and arranged immediately beneath the latter).

Each of the said discs 37 ('Figures? and8) is provided with a vertical stem or spindle 38,

revolvably carried in a suitable bearing orA bearings. rlie disc itself is sunk flush with the bottom of the hopper as here shown and its upper surface is slightly dished in order that the seed or material may gravitate towards the centre where it will be impinged by the blast from the nozzle.

ln order that they may convey a constant supply of seed or material to the required position between the nozzles and the outlets,

the said discs 37 are adapted to turn axially.

with a rotary or oscillating motion.

As here shown this is effected by providing each of the spindles 38 with a small gearwheel or pinion 39 the teeth of which are adapted to intermesh with those of a rackrod 40 slidably mounted in a suitable guide 41 extending parallel with the hopper and actuated from the main shaft 2 with a reciprocaly motion, similar to that of the conveyor l2 in the previous form, or it may be operated by a series of knee irons instead of the rack and pinions.

ln the case where the disc 37 operates with a continuous rotary motion the rack-rod 40 will be replaced by a shaft rotated by the drill mechanism and connected by bevel gearingor the equivalent with the spindles 38.

For the purpose of stirring the material in the hopper and so ensuring a regular action, each of the discs 37 is preferably formed or provided, at or near its periphery, with a plurality of small upwardly disposed projections 42. I

ln this form of the invention, in place of the hood 14 of the previous form, the means for shielding the outlets 9 and for regulating the supply of seed to the point at which it may be'impinged lby the blasts, consists of afseries of plates 43 (one for each of the nozzles).

Each of the said plates 43 is adjustably attached to the side of the hopper but extends beneath-the pipe 3 so` that the tail portion of such plates projects horizontally behind and to the sides of the nozzles for a suitable distance as here shown. The methodof adjustably mounting the plates 43 is similar to that already described in connection with the hoods 14 and consists of a bolt 44 passing through a vertical slot 45 in the plate 43 thus permitting of the plate being raised or lowered in relation to the bottom of the hopper or the conveyors and this adjustment may, if so desired, be provided by other means. In the portion ofthe plate 43 beneath the pipe 3 is provided a slot 46 to permit of the nozzle projecting therethrough and turning' slightly with the pipe 3 in the manner already explained. In this form of the invention also the nozzle is provided in rear of its orifice with wings similar to those described in the previous forms and adapted to serve the same functions.

In accordance with the usual practicealso at present employed in drills and the like, suitable clutch gear will be provided to throw the blower 4 and the disc 30 into or out of gear as the coulters are lowered into the ground or raised therefrom.

It should be noted that for many purposes the air blasts may not be necessary the feed taking place solely gravity and by the action of the conveying means movingthe y seed under the shields. When air is not being used the nozzles simply perform the functions of control and cut off means, being adjusted to vary the feed or to cut it oi' altogether just as when the air is used.

l claim:

l. In a seeding machine, the combination of a hopper having an outlet; a shield over the outlet; conveying means adapted to draw seed under the shield; and an air nozzle adapted to blow seed drawn beneath the shield through the'outlet. c

2.A A seeding machine constructed as set forth in claim l provided with means for adjusting the position of the air nozzle relative to the outlet to regulate the quantity of seed sown. f

3. In a seeding machine, the combination of a hopper having an outlet; a nozzle adapted to deliver a blast of air across the bottom of the hopper for the purpose of discharging seed or other material into said outlet; and means whereby said nozzle may be moved to any desired position across the bottom of thek box for the purpose of regulating the quantity of seed or material to be sown.

In a seeding machine, the combination of a hopper having an outlet, an air nozzle adapted to discharge seed or other material Ail) through said outlets.

`into said outlet; conveying means `adapted -to carry such 4seed or `material into the requiredl position to be so discharged;-and a hood enclosing sufficiently said outlet vand `its Vcorres-ponding air nozzle in each case, said hood being adjustable in a vertical direction for the `purpose of regulating .the said admission by the conveying `means of seeds `to the said position of discharge.

In a seeding machine,-the combination of a hopper having a series of outlets;con veying means `adapted to deliver they seed or other material in 4front of said .outlets; a movable air pipe fextendingffrom end to end of said hopper; and a series `of nozzles carried lupon said air pipe and adapted to move to any required gpositionacross .said` conveying" means. y

G. In a seeding machine. 4the combination of a Ahopperfhaving a series of outlets therefrom; a series of nozzlescorresponding with Vsaid outlets and adjustable in relation thereto; fand wings on said nozzles adapted to close andopen said outlets,

7. In a seeding machine, the combination of a suitable air blower ;laihopper; an-airpipe running lengthwise of the latterandconnected ivith said blower; `a series'of seed outlet openings in said hopper; a ycoifresponding series of nozzles connected wit-lrsaid air {pipeland adapted to deliver-blastsof airtowards said seed outlets; covers over 'said ,nozzlesland outlets; and conveying means adapted to carry the required amount o'f seed or material between said nozzles and outlets.

8-111 a seeding machine, the combination of a hopper `and :a series -of seed `outlets therefor; ahorizontal air pipe provided with lair nozzles Aadapted to blow seed through said outlets; andmeans-for moving said pipe to vary the position of the nozzles to regulate or cut off the iioW of seed or material y 9. ln a seeding machine, the combination of ahopper; seed outlets therefrom; airnozalos adapted to blowseed through-said outlets; `and a bar `arrangiged in ift-he bottom of said hopper and adapted toreciprocal motion lfor the purpose of carrying seed or-m'at'erial .nameto this specification.

between the series of air jets and the said Outlets.

l0. Ina seeding machine, the combination of a hopper; a plurality of ,seed .outlets therefrom; shields for said out-lets; and a single =bar adapted to reciprocating motion `for thev purpose of carrying seed or material to each of said outlets.

1l. 1in a seeding machine;` theioombina tion of a hopper; seed outlets therefor; shields-,over .the outlets va reciprocating conveyor by means of which seed or .material is carried `beneath the shields to 4said outlets;

`a seating arranged in the fbottom of the hopper and adapted to slidably receivesaid conveyor; a slot :being formed in said seating; and `means extending-through fthe slot for operating said conveyor.

l2, vIn nseedinginacliine, the combination of a hopper; a lixed seed outlet from `the fhopper; a shield above the-seedoutlet and a conveyor operatingito draw seed `beneath fthe shield `to said seed outlet.

"13. A seedingmaehine vconstructed asset forth 1n claim l2 providedA Vwith means for adjustingthe shield `to vary the feedk of the yadjusting vthe shield to vary yits ivertical and horizontal position.

'17. seeding machine constructed as set forth; in `claim 10- havingl serrations formed on the conveyor adjacent the shields to assist in the conveying of the seed beneath vthe shields.

In testimony whereof :I 'have signed my frnoims .mains nonnina. lVitnesses: l Y

CYRIL CARI-YN CARTER,

SIDNEY JAMES rERELEAVEN.` 

